#71 “Tell me” versus “Show me”

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Showing” is always more powerful than “telling.” One way to implement this is to use the Iceberg Theory, a method of “minimalist writing.” This is because both methods add to clarity of communication. (But there are exceptions… as with guidelines in general)

The Iceberg Theory will work only if, to quote Hemingway, “the writer of the prose knows enough of what he is writing.”

You can (and should) take writing lessons. But if you know what you are talking about, and determine to say it in fewest possible words, without being obscure, you’ll have a leg up over your verbose co-workers, who have nothing to say, but use a lot of words to say it.

 

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